LESPWA is the creole word for hope…

…for human dignity

After shocking experiences during her first time in Haiti in 1997, Dr. Barbara Höfler decided to work as a doctor for Haitian street children after her retirement. After one year of preparation she started her work in 1998 in a street children project of the Salesians of Don Bosco. The suffering of the children and youth on the streets of the slums in Haiti is unimaginable for us Europeans – they do not own more than the T-shirt they are wearing, and a pair of shorts or a skirt. There is no water for drinking or washing and they often sleep in the dirt of the streets. These are also the living conditions for street girls, who often become mothers very early on, and their babies. Their contact with our doctor is often the only care and attention that they get.

With us, these children start to regain self-respect – A small step for a decent life!

…for medication

With her mobile clinic (an altered Toyota pick-up truck), our doctor goes, accompanied by a Haitian assistant, into the streets of the capital several times a week. Here she provides the necessary medicinal care (treatment and medicine) for sick and injured street children free of charge and pays – if necessary – for hospital treatment.

…for education

Dr. Barbara Höfler helps children in the little schools of Father Bohnen (OPEPB). The Selesian padres don Buscos are taking care of schools, preschools and training workshops. After the massive earthquake in 2010 about 15.000 (before it was 20.000) slum children and young adults learn here.  Dr. Höfler is giving classes in Montesori education. Here, the Salesian padres take care of again 15,000 slum children and youth (before the earthquake in 2010 the number was over 20,000). As part of an education project of the Salesians for the street children, “Dr. Barbara” gives medical care to the trainees and their children.

Education is the only chance for these kids to get out of their living situation with their own strength. In the OPEPB schools they receive one warm meal a day, sometimes the only meal of their day. These children still live in unbelievable conditions, are malnourished, suffer from deficiency diseases, are infested with parasites (lice, worms, scabies) and often have chronic infections such as malaria, hepatitis, bronchitis, TBC…). Their parents usually do not have any funds to see a doctor with their children.  

…for parent eductaion

Dr. Barbara Höfler offers lectures in pathology and hygiene for the parents of the slum children. Nearly all of them are illiterate and never attended a school but are eager to learn. Through information and health education we can do a lot for the health and the development of the children. Through further education the parents are going to be able to help provide better life circumstances for their children.

…for YOUR assistance

Unfortunately, a lot of our efforts were defeated due to the horrible earthquake in January 2010. Since then, Dr. Höfler is constantly confronted with new challenges. Please support the work of our doctor! Please support the projects of LESPWA with your donation! The projects are financed exclusively by donation.

All LESPWA members are volunteers, which means that your donation almost entirely goes into our projects. LESPWA, Hope for children in Haiti e.V. is a non-profit organization which has been supporting projects for needy children in Haiti for 13 years. LESPWA holds the Seal-of-Approval of the German Central Institute for Social Issues (DZI).